Questions to ask your doctor about prostate cancer

Diagnosis

• What type of prostate cancer do I have?
• Has the cancer spread? If so, where has it spread? What is the grade?
• Are the latest tests and treatments for this cancer available in this hospital?
• Will a multidisciplinary team be involved in my care?
• Are there clinical guidelines for this type of cancer?

Treatment

• What treatment do you recommend? What is the aim of the treatment?
• Have you treated a lot of people with my type of cancer?
• Are there other treatment choices for me? If not, why not?
• If I don’t have the treatment, what should I expect?
• How long do I have to make a decision?
• I’m thinking of getting a second opinion. Can you recommend anyone?
• How long will treatment take? Will I have to stay in hospital?
• Are there any out-of-pocket expenses not covered by Medicare or my private health cover? Can the cost be reduced if I can’t afford it? Can I be treated in the public system?
• How will we know if the treatment is working?
• Are there any clinical trials or research studies I could join?

Side effects and follow-up

• What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment? How can these be managed?
• If I have problems with continence, what can I do to manage this?
• Will the treatment affect my sex life and erections? What can be done about this? Which health professionals should I see?
• Will I still be able to have children? Should I see a fertility specialist?
• Are there any complementary therapies that might help me?
• How often will I need check-ups after treatment?
• If the cancer returns, how will I know? What treatments could I have?